Biffle Embarrasses the Field at pocono
Dale Jr & Girlfriend Amy Reinman | Photo
Greg Biffle's Winning Pit Stop. Photo Courtesy NASCAR Media
Greg Biffle said he was embarrassed by the performance of his No. 16 Ford in the early going of the Sunoco Red Cross 500 at Pocono Raceway today. But by the end of the race it was Biffle embarrassing the rest of the field by opening up a 5 second lead over 2nd place Tony Stewart.
“This one’s for Jack,†Biffle said as he streaked toward the checkered flag. Team owner Jack Roush was injured in a private jet crash earlier this week.
This was one of those races where just when you think you have everything figured out, everything changed.
Greg Biffle never had a winning car until the final pit stop, when he took 2 tires to gain track position. Jeff Gordon, who looked to have the car to beat at that point took 4 tires and re-started 13th. Gordon was never a factor after that.
But it was Sam Hornish who almost walked away with the victory after staying on the track during the final round of pit stops and inheriting the race lead. The race was red flagged for rain with Hornish being shown as the race leader. It looked for a while like the race would be called. But the rain stopped in time and racing resumed.
Elliott Sadler has Engine Problems
Elliott Sadler's Engine
It was Elliott Sadler and Kurt Busch who were caught in the big wreck today. Sadler took one of the hardest hits NASCAR has seen in a long time, crashing his No. 19 straight into the corner of steel and earth reinforced guardrail. The impact was so violent that the engine was ripped from his car and landed several hundred feet down the racetrack. It was almost surreal when the car was towed back to the garage by one tow truck, and then a few minutes later along comes another wrecker carrying the engine.
After climbing from the car with a dazed look on his face Sadler had to lie down on the race track to catch his breath. Eventually he got up and walked to the waiting ambulance under his own power.
As much as anyone wants to complain about the COT — I have to remember that the reason for it is driver safety. Without that car Elliott Sadler does not walk away.
Busch Angry with Johnson
Kurt Busch later blamed Jimmie Johnson for starting the wreck. “Jimmie drove through us,†said an angry Busch.
Jimmie Johnson looked to have the car to beat early in today’s race. Johnson led 96 laps – more than any other driver — but he and Chad Knaus got behind on adjustments to the car as the race progressed and saw what had been a dominating performance turn into a struggle to keep up.
Usually the No. 48 team is the master of keeping up with the race track. But not today.
A Nice Crowd
The grandstands and campgrounds at Pocono were jam packed today. A nice turnaround from last week at Indy. It’s time for NASCAR to re-think holding races at tracks that don’t support it. The fans have spoken with their race tickets.
Have Your Say
I’d like to know what your thoughts are on today’s race. What did you see and how did you feel about it? Your opinion counts – so have at it.
Comments
11 Comments on Biffle Embarrasses the Field at pocono
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Hoorah for the Biff,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,great guy and racer!!!!!!! Notice how ho hum the race was getting until they thought it was going to rain, then they started to RACE,
Lets have a rain warning every week and maybe we can see some racing instead of driving in circles until the last 10 laps.
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Great race. I didn’t think Nascar was going to restart it after the wreck, but they held off for the few sprinkles and did. Glad to see Ford get a win on the books this year and am very happy it was not a Toyota. Sadler surviving that crash says a lot about how far safety has come in this sport. Not to many years ago someone would have died in that crash.
Maybe Jeff Gordon will get his first win soon. He had the car to beat today. The call at the end is what it is all about. Not saying 4 tires was the wrong call, as 2 were not working for others earlier in the day. Even the Biff tried two for track position earlier and it didn’t work. This time it did so it’s anyones call………
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Happy for Roush organization. A Ford has to win every once in awhile just to keep we Chevy folks honest. I have never in all my years of racing seen a engine fly through the air like that. I am glad that Sadler is okay. At least we didn’t know who was going to win until it was over. That kept everyone interested.
Wish RJ was still around. Would like him to tell Jr. to hang in there. Things will get better.
Good article Racing Win.
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The Great Golden Boy is going to get away AGAIN
No.48 bump draft Kurt (2) to push Kurt out of the way to pass Clint No 33. Sent Kurt though the track, into the grass up the track again, he hit the wall, came back down the track, etc. Poor Elliott got a bad hit from the results of NO.48.It’s a wonder Ellott Sadler was able to get out of his car.
NASCAR BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT JIMMIE JOHNSON. Look what they did to Carl Edwards. Jimmie isn’t any better. Jimmie will cheat to WIN, excuse me it was Chad, samething. Both Carl and Jimmie were man enough to say they cause the wreck, Carl won and Jimmie didn’t.
Jimmie thinks he should win a Champion every year. And he will do anything to anybody to get the Title. Glad Greg Biffle WON.
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I’M GLAD TO SEE GREG WIN,ESPECIALLY FOR JACK
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Great race! I love the Pocono track and the people too. Was sick over what happened to Sadler (we all love him now because of his little son) and begged God to PLEASE let him be okay because of his little son…………God answered and it was a great race and day for all. Jimmie Johnson, I know, has got to feel terrible over what happened because he is one of the nicest and most considerate drivers in NASCAR. PLEASE do not be angry with Jimmie Johnson, as he has always said he is not good at drafting/pushing drivers. PLEASE FORGIVE JIMMIE JOHNSON……….please! Would be nice if Dale Jr would make an appearance there instead of Talladega all the time. Hope Dale Jr makes an appearance (in person) in Daytona this coming February 2011 along with Jimmie Johnson instead of Jeff Gordon all the time.
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It was one of the better races of the year. If we could get that quality of racing at every track, ticket sales and TV viewing would go up. Biff is not my favorite driver, but nice to see someone else win. As for the 48 causing that wreck, he was only doing what he thought would help Kurt and him.
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i was very glad to see that no one was seriously hurt yesterday. even kurt bush, he wasted no time in blaming jimmie. i do not beleive that jimmie did anything on purpose. i havent heard elliot laying blame, but the bush brothers are. please take away a race at pocono, it is normally boring.
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That wreck was a scary one, Elliott was really lucky to come out of that car uninjured. I like Elliott, he is a good guy, was really glad to see him win the truck race Saturday. Jimmie Johnson knew he was the one that started the wreck and admitted to his error. I’m not the biggest Jimmie fan but I think it takes a man to admit to his wrong, and I believe he was upset about it. Of the Roush teams, I had rather see Biffle win than any of them. I just wish Jr. had, had a better day.
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It just goes to show any driver can win a race. First David Reutimann and now Greg Biffle. Maybe if Jr can ever get his car set up he’ll win one, too. Not sure what happened to him – they said something about him being down a cylinder but didn’t confirm it. Don’t know why they’d go with 2 tires with such a bad car. Jr doesn’t like two tires anyway so I doubt it was his idea.
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I think one of the reasons the seats are not always full has a lot to do with the economy and job losses. I have never had the opportunity to go to a Nascar Sprint Cup race. I have made it to Gateway for an Arca race. Don’t misunderstand I feel these are very exciting races. I could just never afford the money to go to any of the other big ones. If I could I’d be at everyone start to finish. However like many others who would totally enjoy the race, money is an issue. I think if they could lower the cost of the tickets more of us might be able to attend. Just my opinopn.
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